Forum allgemein » Pete Dougherty wrote an interesting

article published on PackersNews.com after the trade between Washington and Green Bay for Safety HaHa Clinton-Dix.Dougherty says that the success that Clinton-Dix enjoyed in his Pro Bowl year of 2016 ended up hurting his career.In other words Derrius Guice Jersey , Packers fans saw Clinton-Dix as a bit of a Diva — a guy who played well, but then thought he had earned a big contract and stopped working.The Redskins have had their share of players with similar, if not identical, issues.Baccari Rambo apparently didn’t study film until he was cut by the Redskins and signed with a new team.We heard regular reports about Preston Smith in his rookie year that he didn’t know how to be a professional — that he was inconsistent and often lazy.Bashaud Breeland was reported by some to have been miffed when Josh Norman was signed, feeling that he was the Redskins #1 corner.The name Breeland, and the word “attitude” were often stitched together in the same paragraph.Some players recover from such issues.Some never do.But, what, exactly, is it that Packers fans are complaining about with Clinton-Dix?The comments from a few Packers fans recently indicate that HaHa started thinking that he was more important than the team; that he was forgetting about assignment football and freelancing too much; that he was hot-dogging in search of personal stats instead of team success.I don’t know if all that is true, but I’ve seen it from a few different sources, so let’s assume for a minute that this is an accurate portrayal of HaHa Clinton-Dix as a member of the Green Bay Packers.It would explain, in part, why the Packers were wiling to deal him away for a 4th round pick while they are fighting for the division lead in the NFC North.Is there any reason to think that he might be different or better as a member of the Redskins?There are probably a few:Oh, shit! First, it has to be shocking for a player to get traded under these circumstances, even if the trade itself was expected — and HHCD’s comments in the days prior to the trade indicate that he was expecting to leave Green Bay — via trade in October or free agency in March.But the circumstances would still be a bit of a slap in the face.HaHa Clinton-Dix was the first round draft choice of the Packers 5 years ago.He has started for the team since his rookie year.He made the Pro Bowl in 2016.The Packers exercised their 5th year option to keep him on the team.Clinton-Dix has been compiling stats, and was ranked as one of the top safeties in the NFL in 2018 by PFF.HaHa seems to have had his eye on a big payday in the coming free agency period.But his team just traded him away for a mid-round draft pick.That’s gotta sting at least a little bit.There were reports that Rambo changed his work habits after he was cut by the Redskins, and that he described getting cut as the catalyst that was needed to make him understand that he needed to change.Clinton-Dix has enjoyed a lot more success than Rambo ever did, and being traded is not the same as being cut — especially when the fan base of the new team is so obviously enamored with the player.But I think there’s a second, and much more powerful set of forces at work: the pressure Clinton-Dix will face in the Redskins locker room.The D.J. Swearinger effectFirstly, there is D.J. Swearinger.He has been the heart and soul of the defense (or at least its mouth) for the season and a half that he’s been here.He was voted captain in his first season with the Redskins.D.J. went through four teams before he finally settled in with Washington.He describes this as ‘home’ now, and talks openly about how happy he is to be in the same system for a second consecutive year, and how it helps his play.Swearinger is a vocal leader who backs up his mouth with his play on the field.D.J. and HaHa spent the off season working out together.They are great friends who have spent a lot of time this week talking about “brotherhood” and “love” between them.Swearinger talks a lot about accountability with the Redskins, and comments from teammates and coaches indicate that it’s not just a topic that he rolls out when a reporter sticks a microphone in his face. The pressure of playing together with his ‘brother’ D.J. Swearinger will ‘force’ HaHa Clinton-Dix to be responsible, to play his assignment, and to never take a play off.Small Fish, welcome to the Big PondSecondly — and I’m so happy to be able to say this with a straight face — the Redskins defense is a talented group that is playing together like an elite unit.Clinton-Dix is just one of many players with a first-round draft pedigree.Ryan Kerrigan, Jonathan Allen, and Daron Payne were all first round picks, and all of them are among the hardest workers on the team.D.J. Swearinger, Zach Brown, Ryan Anderson, and Preston Smith were all second round picks, and Fabian Moreau Youth Zach Brown Jersey , taken in the third round, was considered a first-round prospect prior to a combine injury.And this team has plenty of pro-bowl players: Josh Norman, Zach Brown, and Ryan Kerrigan.Pernell McPhee has a superbowl ring.In other words, Clinton-Dix will be surrounded by accomplished pros who are having success.The team is 5-2 and in first place in the NFC East.The Defense is ranked 4th overall in the NFL.The pressure will be on HaHa not to fuck it up.Roll TideFinally, and most importantly in my mind, is that HaHa Clinton-Dix went to Alabama, and he’s walking into a locker room filled with Alabama players — and especially Alabama defensive players.Jonathen Allen, Daron Payne, Ryan Anderson and Shan Dion-Hamilton are all young players who take pride in the culture of hard work and discipline they brought with them from Nick Saban’s program to the Washington Redskins.I have no doubt that these younsters — a little closer at this point to the experience of being Crimson Tide players — will be reminding ther older brother HaHa what it is that makes Alabama players special.The pressure will be on HaHa to live up to expectations. Final thoughtsI expected Clinton-Dix to be brought slowly into the mix with the Redskins.At least one journalist thinks otherwise.HaHa Clinton-Dix is undoubtedly a talented player — no one disputes that.However, a lot of Packers fans have felt like he got a bit lost along the way, and forgot what was important, and what was necessary to stay on top.The Packers wanted to get rid of HaHa Clinton-Dix.The only way this trade works for Washington is if the player reverts to the successful habits that made him a blue chip prospect, a 2-time BCS National Champion, a consensus All-American, a first-round draft choice, a pro-bowl player and second-team all pro.Fortunately, like the Adrian Peterson situation where all the stars seemed perfectly aligned, the situation in Washington may be exactly what Clinton-Dix needs. The Redskins could certainly use a 25-year-old safety with his skills in the prime of his career.It feels like a marriage made in Heaven.Hopefully it’s not the road to Perdition.Redskins Vs. Jets - Studs and Duds First of all, let me just say this was one hell of a boring game to watch. But second, we appeared to come out of the game with no major injuries - so that in itself was big. My guess was that these two teams were sick of seeing each other after the week of joint practices, and just wanted it to end. Below are my Studs and Duds of the game, followed up by some notes. Studs:Cam Sims - This is a bit of a tough one, because Sims dropped one that hit him right in the hands, leading to an interception, BUT, I look at how these young guys bounce back after a mistake, and I felt Sims did an excellent job of putting that behind him, and moving forward. The touchdown that got called back for an illegal formation was simply an amazing effort. We saw his route running ability, length, hands and toughness all on that play. If that doesn’t excite Redskins fans about our undrafted rookie, I don’t know what does. Should he have made the catch on the fade the next play - maybe, but the DB did a nice job of getting a hand in there as well. He made an outstanding catch on a back-shoulder pass to put the Redskins into field goal range with four seconds left in the game. Sims had three catches for 57 yards on the night. You can contest this rating, but to me Youth Trent Williams Jersey , he was impressive. Da'Ron Payne/Jonathan Allen - The duo was simply un-blockable Thursday night. It’s going to be a fun season watching these two!Trey Quinn - Trey Quinn is as advertised folks! He showed good route running ability, solid hands, and the ability to come away with the ball in traffic and on contested catches. I didn’t like the route he ran at the goalline on the slant, as I though that could have been a bit crisper, and broken that more shallow across the corner’s face...but he’s a rookie; he’ll learn. Otherwise, a very solid night for Mr. Irrelevant, who also added a nice punt return in the second half. Kapri Bibbs - Bibbs couldn’t really get it going on the ground behind our reserve offensive line, but he showed how dangerous he could be in the passing game, hauling in seven receptions for 47 yards. He had a beautiful 29 yard catch-and-run in the first quarter. He did run hard, and was able to fight for some yards after contact despite the lack of holes opened up by the line. he had a great blitz pick-up on the Skins last scoring drive to end the game. Martez Carter - Carter broke off some nice runs, making something out of nothing when the blocking was less-than-stellar. He showed nice speed to get to the outside and a devastating jump-cut. Cassanova McKinzy - Let’s keep this in perspective - McKinzy was playing against the Jets reserves. That being said, he looked outstanding. He was explosive, relentless and made some big plays - none bigger that his tackle for loss at the goal line late in the game. He may not make the Redskins 53 man roster, but this guy has a place in the league. Dustin Hopkins - Although he hit the upright on a pretty easy field goal attempt, he was a perfect 5-5 on the night, and hit the game winner as time expired. Duds:Tony Bergstrom - Bergstrom did not look good at center, even against some of the Jets reserve defensive linemen. He gave up a lot of interior pressure on passing plays, and generated almost zero push up the middle when the Skins tried to run the ball. A very poor showing by the veteran. He was also called for holding late in the third quarter when he and Kalis didn’t communicate well in pass pro. Ryan Anderson/Pernell McPhee - Neither player did much of anything when they were out on the field (and Anderson was playing late in the game against the Jets second and third teamers). McPhee missed a tackle in the backfield, and Anderson struggled in coverage when he was asked to drop. Fish Smithson - He was not good in coverage, and not good at making tackles in space, and this is against reserves. Smithson was called for lowering the head in the fourth quarter, which resulted in a 15 yard penalty.Ranthony Texada - Too many missed tackles for my liking where he was diving at guys ankles. Some of these were on special teams - an area he’ll need to make an impact if he hopes to make this team. 0 - How in the hell do you not call “lowering the head” AND throw out Luvu, the Jets linebacker, for that vicious hit on Colt McCoy late in the second quarter? That’s the exact play they are trying to stop in the NFL this season, and that hit could have SERIOUSLY injured McCoy! Luvu was called for lowering the head later on during the game when he ear-holed Carter at the end of a run. There is no place in the league for that kind of play! I hope he’s heavily fined for those two hits, and the refs are fined as well for the blatant missed call earlier in the game. Notes:Martrell Spaight as usual, made some big splash plays, but also missed some tackles and took some false reads and poor angles, and lost his man in coverage on two occasions I counted. It’s the second part that continues to hurt him. Samaje Perine looked EXPLOSIVE on his lone run of the game. It’s too bad he tweaked his ankle on the play. I’d have liked to see what he could do with some more snaps. Geron Christian Sr. looked a bit better at left tackle against the Jets, although he’s still a MAJOR work in progress. Tim Settle continues to show well with the back-up linemen. He did a nice job collapsing the pocket, and had a nice batted ball while going against Spencer Long in the second quarter. Troy Apke showed that 4.3 speed on the interception off the Everett tip late in the second quarter. Great effort by the rookie! I also saw some poor tackling, especially on an open-field attempt to start the fourth quarter, when he just dropped his head and completely whiffed on the ball carrier. Shaun Dion Hamilton just plays much smarter and takes better pursuit angles than the other reserve linebackers. He doesn’t miss many tackles when he gets there. Prince Charles Iworah played the receiver and the ball perfectly on his interception off Teddy Bridgewater in the fourth quarter. I like the way Casey Dunn anchors and operates in space.